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Karl Wallinger’s songs were his guiding force, with melody as his guiding light. When I spoke with him in 2012 while enjoying shepherd’s pie at the Groucho Club, he described himself as a “song being” throughout his life. The standout songs by World Party, the band he led, capture the passion and enthusiasm of his musical influences, such as Bob Dylan, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Sly Stone, Van Morrison, the Beach Boys, and especially the Beatles. He managed to cram all of this inspiration into four minutes, creating a bubbling, funky, and heartfelt homemade sound.
Wallinger, who passed away at the age of 66, succeeded in doing this on several occasions. The most popular songs in the World Party repertoire – Ship of Fools, Put the Message in the Box, Way Down Now, Is it Like Today?, She’s the One – embody the ideal form of pop music: timeless and transcending genres. They can be listened to at any moment and instantly uplift any setting.
In addition to these essential elements, the collection delves further. While World Party was occasionally criticized for being too reminiscent of the 1960s, the consistent theme of Wallinger’s commitment to timeless pop music is evident, encompassing a variety of genres such as funk, country, synth-pop, folk, mock-operas, and nu-soul.
The prayers within the songs It Can Be Beautiful (Sometimes) and All Come True, featured on the band’s first album, Private Revolution, have vastly different styles. The album Goodbye Jumbo, considered to be World Party’s most successful, features a range of musical genres including folk-rock, funk, ballads, and psychedelia. The box set, Arkeology, is a diverse collection of creative works, including the poignant song Another World, which serves as a heartfelt plea from humanity to a planet that has been ravaged by its inhabitants.
Wallinger’s writing was not nostalgic in terms of lyrics. In 2012, he clarified, “I am not retro. My songs are about current situations and issues – in fact, the songs I wrote in the past are even more pertinent now than before. I wasn’t intentionally trying to be ahead of the times; I simply wrote about things that were apparent to me and yet to be addressed.”
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Ship of Fools, a song that criticizes the selfishness and greed of our leaders, remains relevant in 2024. Other songs by the band World Party, such as Another World and Goodbye Jumbo, also touch on the looming threat of environmental disaster. Wallinger, the lead singer, was ahead of his time in bringing attention to environmental issues through his music. Is It Like Today? was inspired by philosopher Bertrand Russell and God on Your Side calls out those who use morality for their own gain.
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The authenticity of human emotions conveyed in the songs is enhanced by the internal conflicts portrayed. Wallinger’s love for music, humanity, and the earth is expressed through sharp sarcasm and a healthy dose of skepticism rooted in his upbringing in north Wales. When I had the opportunity to meet Wallinger ten years after his near-death experience from a brain aneurysm, he maintained a more contemplative perspective on life while also expressing a strong distaste for certain aspects of society. “I used to believe we were decent people, but now I see us as idiots. And I include myself in that. I can be just as foolish as anyone else…”
He was excellent company. He had strong opinions and a sharp sense of humor. He could also be sarcastic and angry. These same qualities were reflected in his work. The last song on the third album by World Party, titled Bang!, is named All I Gave. It has a light, George-Harrison inspired sound and confidently celebrates the importance of our individual selves in the midst of life’s uncertainties. “All I gave was me,” sings Wallinger in the chorus. As I listened to it again this morning, it resonates more than ever.
In addition to being a versatile songwriter and captivating vocalist, Wallinger was a remarkably talented musician who could play multiple instruments. His ex-bandmate from The Waterboys, Mike Scott, described him as “one of the best musicians I have ever met”. For a brief period, he brought his exceptional skills to various Waterboys songs, including a magnificent organ piece on Rags and beautiful piano on A Pagan Place. On The Whole of the Moon, Wallinger’s synth bass and vocal solo near the conclusion – inspired by David Bowie’s Fame – substantially enhance the intricate sound arrangement.
In the first few albums by World Party, the musician played most of the instruments himself. However, he did not strive for technical perfection. Wallinger used his own makeshift recording spaces, one of which was ironically named Seaview, and he seemed to be most content when making music freely. Goodbye Jumbo may not have the best sound quality, but it is filled with the joy of creating music. In the 1990s, this album was widely popular. It could be argued that this unintentionally paved the way for Britpop, as it drew from similar influences but with more cleverness and less self-awareness.
Wallinger wasn’t interested in surfing that wave, or any other. Beyond the effects of his illness, which clearly slowed him down creatively, there is a suspicion that he gradually retreated from the trappings of the music industry to preserve the joy in what he did. “I just know I’m here and want to play some music and make good use of my time,” he told me. “It’s that cheesy.”
The focus was always on the music. Whenever we saw each other, he would pause our conversation to record tunes on his phone and edit them with a wah-wah effect. His ringtone was Sly Stone’s “Family Affair” and his dog was named Ringo. Karl Wallinger had a strong passion for music, and we should appreciate how he shared it with others.
Source: theguardian.com
